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Mulligatawny Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 62 reviews

This Mulligatawny Soup is a hearty and flavorful Indian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken thighs simmered with fragrant spices, coconut milk, and a medley of vegetables and apple for a unique sweetness. Finished with a crunchy buttered cracker topping, this comforting soup is perfect for cozy dinners and packs a delightful balance of spice, creaminess, and texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (¼ stick)
  • 2½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (trimmed of all fat and cut into 2-inch pieces)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 carrots (peeled and finely chopped)
  • 1 rib celery (finely chopped)
  • 1 yellow onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 Granny Smith apple (peeled, cored, and diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons sweet curry powder (or Maharajah curry powder)
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 (1-inch piece) fresh ginger (finely grated)
  • 14.5 ounces coconut milk (1 can)
  • 4 cups unsalted chicken broth (or stock)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ½ cup dry white rice

Buttered Crackers Topping

  • 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (crushed)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted, ¼ stick)
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon sweet curry powder (or Maharajah curry powder)

Instructions

  1. Heat Oil and Butter: Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven set over medium heat and add the unsalted butter to melt and combine.
  2. Season Chicken: Lightly season the chicken pieces with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor.
  3. Cook Chicken: Add the chicken to the pot and cook until the chicken is no longer pink in the center. Remove and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and set aside.
  4. Sauté Vegetables: If necessary, add a little more oil and butter to the pot. Sauté the chopped carrots and celery for about 2 minutes, until the carrots are still slightly firm but softening.
  5. Add Onion and Apple: Stir in the chopped onion and diced Granny Smith apple. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until onions become translucent and the apples soften.
  6. Add Garlic: Add the finely chopped garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant and blooming.
  7. Add Spices and Ginger: Stir in sweet curry powder, garam masala, ground cumin, crushed red pepper flakes, and freshly grated ginger to coat the vegetables and release their aroma.
  8. Add Liquids and Rice: Pour in the coconut milk, chicken broth, and tomato paste. Stir well to combine. Add the dry white rice and bring the mixture to a low boil.
  9. Simmer Soup: Reduce heat to low and return the cooked chicken to the pot. Simmer the soup, stirring often, for 30 to 45 minutes or until the rice is tender and the soup thickens to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  10. Prepare Buttered Crackers: While the soup simmers, mix the crushed Ritz crackers, melted butter, fine sea salt, and sweet curry powder in a small bowl until evenly combined.
  11. Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot Mulligatawny Soup into bowls and garnish with the buttered crackers. Optionally, add yogurt, fresh cilantro, and sliced scallions for extra flavor and texture.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken broth if available.
  • If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute chicken thighs with extra vegetables and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level to your preference.
  • Leftover soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freezes nicely for up to 2 months.
  • Adding yogurt and fresh cilantro as garnishes brings a fresh and cooling contrast to the spiced soup.

Keywords: Mulligatawny Soup, Indian Soup, Chicken Soup, Coconut Milk Soup, Spiced Soup, Curry Soup, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/mulligatawny-soup-recipe/